The home team wins as Eden Prairie football returns to The Waters

The Eden Prairie High School football team and cheerleaders made their 17th annual visit Friday, Aug. 21, to The Waters of Eden Prairie, a senior living community, for friendly competition and conversations with residents.

The Waters staff edged the Eagles five touchdowns to three in a touch football game to the delight of residents watching nearby. Staff member Isak Sevig won a timed hot dog-eating contest by eating seven hot dogs. Eden Prairie player Owen Andersen won the push-up contest with 51 push-ups.

Cheerleaders performed for residents, and after the contests, cheerleaders and football players served food and drinks before spending time talking with residents.

Head football coach Mike Grant said the conversations with residents are more important than the contests.

“The most important time is at the end when they have a chance to visit,” Grant said.

Some players are initially uncomfortable starting conversations with older adults, Grant said. He said the experience teaches them to ask questions, listen and appreciate the seniors in their community.

The visit also reinforces the football program’s “men for others” motto. Grant said encouraging players to think about others helps them become better people and strengthens the team.

Five senior captains — Windlan Hall, Joseph Broich, Will Kukla, Luke Elliott and Jack Badon — described the outing as both community service and a team-building experience.

Broich, the team’s center, said he values hearing residents’ stories.

“You can really take all these things and put them into your own life and be inspired by them,” he said.

Kukla, a running back, said the program’s older players are responsible for passing its expectations to younger teammates.

“It’s just about doing the right thing, even when nobody’s watching,” Kukla said. “It’s just what’s expected of us.”

Hall described being a man for others as putting someone else first. Elliott said captains must demonstrate that principle so younger players will follow their example. Badon said community activities show underclassmen that being part of the football program extends beyond what happens on the field.